Improvements in blue-collar industries account for a significant share of Phoenix economic growth in 2011, despite choppy early year hiring. Total metro employment grew by 0.9%, or 14,900 positions. Manual-trade payrolls, in contrast, expanded by a healthy-1.1% year to date with the addition of 3,800 workers. The Valley’s manufacturing sector notched the most hires, adding 2,500 employees and offsetting the combined loss of 700 construction and transportation and utilities personnel through the second quarter. Moreover, major expansions by companies such as Federal Express, First Solar and Easy Energy Systems Inc. will boost the economy and leasing in the near term. Through the extended outlook, sales tax legislation may push more companies like Amazon to relocate from California to Arizona, further supporting industrial space demand. Although international and domestic concerns could dampen growth in the second half, the economic recovery is expected to gain momentum. Metr owide staffing levels will increase by a projected 39,000 positions, or 2.3%, in 2011, while blue-collar industries will add 12,500 workers, a 3.7% increase. National payrolls will rise by 1.65 million positions, or 1.3%

In addition to celebrating 20 years of leadership excellence in commercial real estate in the Phoenix market, Lee & Associates is one of the largest national commercial real estate providers with regional expertise. Lee & Associates currently has more than 40 offices located throughout the nation. Clients of Lee & Associates Arizona enjoy a comprehensive range of specialized commercial real estate services including: industrial, office, retail property sales and leasing; real estate investment consulting, property acquisition and disposition; tenant representation and relocation, land assemblage.

The Phoenix office of Lee & Associates was established in 1991 as the first office to open outside of California. The Lee & Associates model – empowering agents as owners of the company – attracts industry-best real estate agents and has fueled the Phoenix office’s growth from 12 brokers in 1991 to nearly 40 brokers today.

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International award-winning firm KTGY Architecture + Planning is pleased to announce the addition of Kamran Charmsaz, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP, as a shareholder. Charmsaz, formerly an associate principal with KTGY, was also named a principal. Charmsaz is based in the firm’s Tysons, Virginia office and joins other KTGY Tysons shareholders: Rohit Anand, AIA, NCARB, principal; and Smita Anand, AIA, principal